Walt and Skeezix 1927 & 1928 HC

In this fourth installment of the much praised comic-strip reprint series Walt and Skeezix, the newly married Walt Wallet settles into domestic life with his wife, Phyllis, and their adopted son, Skeezix, but their family bliss is soon disrupted by a man who claims to be SkeezixOs natural father. A long custody battle erupts, raising questions as to the importance of blood ties compared to a loving environment. Later, Walt and Phyllis have to deal with all the dilemmas of a young coupleOs life as their family starts to unexpectedly expand. This is the very stuff of lifeNpaying the bills, nursing a sick child, finding the right job while spending quality time with family N expertly explored with cartoonist Frank KingOs unerring fidelity to reality.

In unfolding the drama of the Wallet family's life, King displays his full mastery of long and complex narratives, which made his work a forerunner to the modern graphic novel. In his introduction to the series, Jeet Heer explores KingOs storytelling prowess and links the concerns of the strip with changes in American culture in the 1920s. Lavishly illustrated with KingOs family photos, the book is designed by Chris Ware, whose elegant and detail-rich books have revolutionized the graphic novel field.